shapiro



March 17, 1964 w. J. SHAPIRO WHIRLING TOY wrm PROPELLER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 12, 1958 INVENTOR. WILL/HM JSHF/P/Ro 7 40770 HTT RNEY- March 17, 1964 w. J. SHAPIRO 3,124,897

' WHIRLING TOY WITH PROPELLER Filed Nov. 12, 1958 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

' HTTQRN Ys United States Patent 3,124,897 WHIRLHJG TOY WITH PROPELLER William 3. hapiro, 658 Montgomery St, Brooklyn 25, N.Y. Filed Nov. 12, 1958, Ser. No. 774,070 17 Claims. (Cl. 46-51) The invention relates to a toy having a propeller or rotor which rotates upon twirling of the toy such as at the end of a string or stick. The toy may take several' forms such as simulations of a helicopter, flying platform, airplane and the like. The propeller may be that shovm in my application S. N. 586,694 filed May 22, 1956, Patent 2,972,481, dated Feb. 21, 1961. This application is a continuation in part of application S. N. 706,636 filed January 2, 1958, now abandoned.

It is an object of the invention to construct a toy having a vehicle for mounting the propeller and the propeller is constructed of at least one blade member bent at an obtuse angle along a bending axis parallel to the edges of the blade member and a second member which also is bent into an obtuse angle with both members having interengaging notches which retain the two members together and in bent form. As a consequence a center hole through the two members provides two spaced axle bearings for rotation of the propeller which retain the propeller in a relatively fixed plane and a string serves as the rotating axis.

Another object is to construct a twirling toy with a propeller in which the twirling string attached to the toy also serves as the axle for the propeller whereby centrifugal force from twirling the toy keeps the string axle taut.

Another object is to construct a twirling toy with a propeller in which a single vehicle bearing is provided against which the propeller rotates.

Another object is to construct a twirling toy with a propeller as above which simulates a flying platform and has a pair of spaced vehicle bearings between which the propeller rotates.

Another object is to construct a twirling toy with a propeller having a weight located such that the twirling string is not unduly twisted.

Other objects of the invention will be more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a propeller blade;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of retaining member for a single blade propeller;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a vehicle in the form of a helicopter with a rotor or propeller carried thereby;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the vehicle bearing blank;

FIG. 5 is a view of another form of toy;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the toy of FIG. 5, the dotted lines being the edges of the vehicle;

FIG. 7 is a top View of a toy simulating a flying platform;

FIG. 8 is a top view of another toy simulating a flying platform;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the blank of the vehicle bearing two of which are used with FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another form of vehicle bearing;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a toy simulating an aeroplane;

FIG. 12 is a view of a helicopter as in FIG. 3 but uses a rigid axle for the propeller;

FIG. 13 is a view the same as FIG. 6 but uses a rigid axle, the dotted lines being the edges of the vehicle;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG, 11 but uses a rigid axle;

r 3,124,897 Patented Mar. 17, 1964 "ice The toy described herein may use a propeller as described in my patent aforesaid. The blade member or members 10 of this propeller are made of a material having at least some resiliency such as cardboard, or greater resiliency as thin metal, plastic and the like. The cardboard may be of relatively light stock and because of its low price is preferred. In addition it may be made from the sides of cereal boxes. The blade member comprises an attachment or central portion 11 having edges 12. Between the edges of the central portion for a cardboard blade member is a bending axis 13 so that this portion is bent at an obtuse angle. A blade 14 extends from one half of the central portion and another blade 14 usually extends in the opposite direction from the other half of the central portion so that when bent on the bending axis, the leading edge of both blades are inclined oppositely actually but when considered for rotation are in the same direction. The edges or notches 15, 16 and 17, 18 of the central portion carry a pair of spaced interlocking means which may be formed by the ends of a recess 19 and 20 in the edges with a spacing between notches or interlocking means being of a particular dimension as will be described hereinafter. Thin metal or plastic blade members have such resiliency that a fold or bending axis is unnecessary.

A retaining member 23 corresponding with the central portion of the blade 10 may be used to interengage with the blade member to retain the central portion of the blade member in bent relation. Rather than a retaining member, a second blade member identical with that illustrated in FIG. 1 may be and preferably is used. This retaining member has edges and a bending axis between the edges so that the retaining member is bent into an obtuse angle. The edges also carry a pair of spaced notches or interengaging means which are spaced apart a distance less than the flattened distance between adjacent notches on opposite edges. In other words dimension x is the same as or preferably a little less than dimension of the other member for each member. When the dimension x is the same as y there is sufficient interference between the interengaging means or recesses so that the blade member does not flatten out but remains bent or cambered. As a consequence when these interengaging means, recesses or notches are interlocked with the recesses or notches of the other member in angular or crosswise relation to each other there is sufficient resiliency in the bend of each member so that it tends to straighten out somewhat. This securely locks the two members in assembled relation and against inadvertent separation without any additional structure and without gluing and the like. Secondly the interengaging notches retain the condition of both members. The two blades also may be identical with the result that one cutting die may suffice. When two identical blades are bent in the same direction on their bending axes and cross assembled together with the obtuse angles opposed to each other or oppositely, the tilt or angle of each blade is in one direction considered circularly or rotatively. Also with a hole 21 through the central portion of each member in alignment with each other, a pair of spaced propeller axle bearings are provided which keep the propeller in a plane of rotation with a minimum amount of angular displacement. Three and six bladed propellers are taught in the aforementioned application and are applicable for use with the toy herein.

The vehicle which carries the propeller or rotor may take several forms, that in FIG. 3 simulating a helicopter, that of FIG. 6 being just a flying toy, and that of FIGS. 7 and 8 simulating space platforms. The vehicle of FIG. 3 comprises a body 26 shown as a conventional helicopter which body carries a vehicle bearing 27 against which the propeller rotates. In the construction of FIG.

3 3 the vehicle bearing is a separate member which is attached to the body in any suitable manner. The vehicle bearing as shown in FIG. 4 is circular with a pair of tabs or ears 28 extending laterally which are bent downwardly on axes 30 on opposite sides thereof. Each tab has a slot 29 which is passed over the edge of the body to retain the vehicle bearing in position extending laterally therefrom. Preferably the body also carries a pair of spaced slots 31 which received the slots of the tabs and provide additional attachment for the vehicle bearing to the body. The vehicle bearing has a central hole 32 for a purpose as will appear.

A string 34 is tied to the body at a hole 35 in the body and passes through the hole 32 in the vehicle bearing and through each hole in the blade member and retaining member or two blade members of the propeller. This string is long so that the string serves a double function. First it provides an axle upon which the propeller rotates when the toy is whirled and it also provides the string by means of which the toy is whirled. Centrifugal force keeps the propeller in contact with the vehicle bearing and also keeps the string axle for the propeller taut. This toy may be whirled around the head at a fast rate in which case the helicopter flies on its side or may be whirled more slowly so that the helicopter maintains a more vertical position in which case the helicopter flies in a generally normal position. A suitable weight 36 may be provided on the nose of the body to maintain the nose forward when it is whirled.

FIGS. and 6 show a vehicle 38 which may be of any form and indeed may simulate a helicopter when twirled vertically or may be twirled around rapidly with the pro peller in a vertical plane. A simple form of body or vehicle is shown having an extension or an elongated body 44 of one part which is bent at right angles between the ends on a bending axis 39 to form a vehicle or bod bearing 40 and bent on another bending axis 41 spaced from axis 39 to bring the other end of the extension adjacent to the body. Ears 42 may be cut from the body and extension which project laterally and in the plane of the vehicle bearing to extend the lateral dimension of the vehicle hearing. The vehicle hearing has a hole 43 therethrough.

A string may be tied to the body in alignment with the hole in the vehicle bearing, a convenient location for attaching the string is through holes 46 at the end of the extension and body so that the string also serves to hold the end of the extension to the body. This string is then projected through the aperture formed by an ear and through the hole 43 in the vehicle bearing and through the two holes 21 in the propeller so that in this construction the string serves three functions, first it ties the end of the extension to the body, secondly it serves as an axle for the propeller and thirdly the string is long enough so it also serves as the whirling means or string by means of which the toy is whirled circularly. Centrifugal force keeps the string and axle taut and also keeps the propeller in contact with the vehicle hearing.

In the construction of FIG. 7, the vehicle 49 is oval shaped and has two connected and adjacent openings 48 forming projections or prongs 50 at the center spaced from each other a distance to easily receive a propeller therebetween and yet near enough to form spaced vehicle bearings. The openings are wide enough so that a propeller may have a certain amount of tilt with respect to the vehicle without engaging the sides of the opening which may stop rotation of the propeller.

A string 51 has its end anchored such as in a slit 52, passes through a hole 53 in one projection, through the holes in each blade member of the propeller and through a second hole 54 in the other projection. This other end of the string may be anchored in any suitable manner such as by a slit 55. Additional anchorage may be secured by pasting tape 56 over the ends of the string which forms the axle. A whirling string 57 may be attached to the vehicle at a hole 58. A weight 36 applied to the vehicle keeps this edge of the vehicle forward when it is whirled. In addition a sound tab 59 may be carried at the edge of the opening 48 located to be struck by the ends of the propeller blades as they pass so that a sound is emitted. This sound tab is carried at the edge of the inward opening or adjacent the whirling string attachment so that centrifugal force projects it outwardly. This tab may be integral or part of the body and bent along a bending axis 64) so that it yields when struck by each blade and does not stop rotation of the propeller.

In the construction of FIGS. 8 and 9, the vehicle 62 has a slot or opening 63 therethrough with the edges spaced apart a distance a little greater than the thickness of the propeller. A vehicle bearing 64 as shown in FIG. 8 is inserted at each long edge of the slot. This vehicle bearing is cardboard having each end thereof bent at right angles along a bending axis 65. Each end carries a slit 66 extending inwardly from the end which slit is received by the vehicle at the edge of the slot and retains the vehicle hearing at the edge of the opening. Preferably the vehicle has at spaced points in the edges of the opening, slits 67 to receive the mating slit in the vehicle bearing so that double anchorage at each end of each bearing is secured. The spaced vehicle bearings are shown as bowed which assists in clearing the blades as they rotate although the bearings may be straight or flat.

A hole 76 is provided adjacent one edge of the opening and at the center to attach an axle and twirling string 71. This string passes through a hole 72 in the adjacent vehicle bearing 64, through the hole in each blade member. of the propeller, through a hole 72 in the second or vehicle bearing on the other edge of the opening, then through a hole 73 adjacent the edge of the opening in the vehicle and centrally located, and finally through a hole which may be adjacent the outer edge of the vehicle. This string is long enough so that it also serves as the whirling string. In this construction also the centrifugal force of the vehicle keeps the axis portion of the string through the propeller taut so that a taut string axle is provided. It is clear that a separate axle string may be provided secured in any suitable manner at its ends as in the toy of FIG. 7. A weight 36 may be provided on the vehicle spaced from the point of effective attachment of the twirling string which is the hole 74 although physical attachment is at hole 70 and spaced from alignment therewith in twirling position to keep the nose forward. In this construction the propeller will rotate generally on a vertical plane and the vehicle bearings provide a bearing for the propeller so that it rotates freely and is kept in alignment within the relatively narrow opening provided in the vehicle for the propeller.

FIG. 10 shows another form of vehicle bearing which may be used in place of that shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. This vehicle bearing is also integral with the vehicle. An extension 76 is bent at right angles with respect to the vehicle and on one side thereof on a bending axis thereof and an ear 77 cut from the vehicle is also bent with the extension 76 to extend on the other side of the vehicle to form the vehicle hearing. A hole 78 receives a string axle and twirling string which hole is shown oif center and a slit 79 extends from the hole to the approximate center of the vehicle bearing formed by the extension 76 and ear 77 into which slit the string is pulled. The string may be tied at the hole 81. This slot is spaced from the bending axis 80 so that with the slit gripping the string, the vehicle bearing is braced or supported by the string.

In all of the constructions illustrated at least one vehicle bearing is provided which may be a simple projection 50 as in FIG. 7 or may be a vehicle bearing having a substantial relative area as shown in the constructions of the other figures.

FIG. 11 shows the toy as an airplane which flies when whirled around with the propeller moving generally into the wind stream that is the propeller is generally broadside to the direction of movement. This toy in fact flies when whirled, at an angle to the tangent of the arc of travel and also at an angle to the string of substantially less than 90 or facing inwardly which angle stems from the fact that the twirling string also serves as the propeller axle and is kept taut by centrifugal force. The toy has a vehicle 82 which carries a vehicle bearing of suitable construction. This toy may use the vehicle bearing constructions of FIGS. 3 and 6 but is shown with the hearing of FIG. 10.

In all of the toys illustrated the twirling string is attached to the vehicle rearwardly of the Weight so that the weight flies forwardly of the string attachment. This keeps the vehicle headed in the proper direction. In the toy of FIG. 11, the toy actually flies angularly when twirled which brings the weight forwardly of the point of attachment of the whirling string. The weighting may be of any form, the simpler form being to provide a separate weight attached to the vehicle as illustrated. Normally the purchaser supplies his own weight.

There is shown in FIG. 12 a construction similar to that shown in FIG. 3 with the exception that the axle 86 for the propeller is rigid. The axle particularly shown constitutes a nail passing through the propeller bearing and the vehicle bearing hole and is attached to the vehicle by suitable means such as a strip of adhesive tape 87 of any type. The twirling string 34 is attached to the end of the axle or nail.

FIG. 13 shows with the vehicle in perspective a construction similar to that of FIG. 6 but with a rigid axle, in the form of a nail 86, passing through the propeller bearing and the vehicle bearing hole. The twirling string 45 is attached to the end of the axle or nail. The nail may be secured to the vehicle such as by an adhesive tape 87.

FIG. 14 shows a construction similar to FIG. 11 but having a rigid axle for the propeller 14. This axle passes through the propeller bearing and the vehicle bearing hole and is shown secured to the vehicle by a piece of adhesive tape 87. The twirling string is attached to the end of the nail.

In all of the constructions illustrated, means is secured to the vehicle which passes through the vehicle bearing hole and also the propeller bearing to provide an axle for the propeller and includes a twirling string. In the constructions of FIGS. 1 through 6 and 8 through 11 a single string provides both the axle and the twirling string and FIG. 7 also provides a string axle whereas in FIGS. 12 through 14 this means comprises the rigid axle 86 and the twirling string which is secured to the end of the axle. In all of the constructions the Weight 36 is located laterally with respect to the twirling string or the extension of the twirling string when the toy is in flight. The location of this weight has a three fold function, the first being that the weight swings the vehicle when the toy is twirled to keep the vehicle heading in a forward direction so that the vehicle does not fly tail first. Also it enables a light weight to be used. Secondly, where the twirling string is attached to the vehicle in such a manner that when in flight the plane of rotation of the propeller would normally be tangent to the direction of movement, that is edgewise to the windstream, the rotation of the propeller would be uncertain, if secured at all. This is particularly true of the forms shown in FIGS. 3, 6, 11, 12, 13 and 14. By locating the weight laterally of the axis or extension of the axis of the string with the vehicle in flight or particularly laterally of the axis of the axle or its extension, the centrifugal force of the weight gives the vehicle a tilt forwardly from the point of attachment of the string. This tilt results in bringing the plane of rotation of the propeller sufliciently broadside to the windstream to insure far better rotation of the propeller than when its plane of rotation is edgewise to the windstream. This is true whether the twirling string is at- 6 tached to a separate axle or forms the axle and provides direct attachment with the vehicle.

Thirdly, placing the weight laterally of the axis of the twirling string stabilizes the vehicle and counteracts its normal tendency to rotate on its own account at the end of the twirling string. Independent rotation of the vehicle would soon wind or unwind the twirling string into a tight, mangled bunch of useless string.

As the weight of the rigid axle, or nail, increases, increased weight for the weight 36 may be required or desirable, or it may be located farther laterally from the axle axis to increase its lever arm.

A rigid axle such as a nail may be substituted for the string axle of the constructions of FIGS. 7 and 8 and serve the same functions excepting that these propellers have their plane heading in the direction of flight and hence vehicle tilt is not required in order to assure positive propeller rotation.

This invention is presented to fill a need for improvements in a whirling toy with propeller. It is understood that various modifications in structure, as Well as changes in mode of operation, assembly, and manner of use, may and often do occur to those skilled in the art, especially after benefiting from the teachings of an invention. This disclosure illustrates the preferred means of embodying the invention in useful form.

What is claimed is:

l. A twirling toy comprising a unitary vehicle having a substantial surface, at least one vehicle bearing carried by the vehicle with an axis, means for attaching string means to the vehicle, the vehicle having a size and weight such that it can be twirled on a string, a portion of the vehicle extending forwardly of the string attaching means when twirled, means for carrying a weight carried by the forwardly extending portion of the vehicle and located a substantial distance from the string attaching means, the weight carrying means being of such size that it will receive a weight of such magnitude as to displace the center of gravity of the vehicle forwardly of the point of attachment of the twirling means, a propeller having a central hole providing a propeller bearing, and string means having one end secured to the vehicle and then passing through the vehicle bearing and next passing through the propeller bearing to provide a string means axle upon which the propeller turns and the string means including solely a twirling string.

2. A twirling toy comprising a unitary vehicle having a substantial surface, at least one vehicle bearing carried by the vehicle with an axis, means for attaching string means to the vehicle, the vehicle having a size and weight such that it can be twirled on a string, a portion of the vehicle extending forwardly of the string attaching means when twirled, means carried by the forwardly extending portion of the vehicle for carrying a weight located a substantial distance from the string attaching means, a propeller having a central hole providing a propeller bearing, string means having one end secured to the vehicle and then passing through the vehicle bearing and next passing through the propeller bearing to provide a string axle upon which the propeller turns and including :solely a twirling string, and a weight carried by the weight supporting means, the weight being of such magnitude and so located as to displace the center of gravity of the vehicle forwardly of the point of attachment of the twirling means, the weight also being of such magnitude as to give driving power to the propeller.

3. A twirling toy as in claim 2 in which the vehicle bearing means is at least one vehicle bearing extending :substantially at right angles to the vehicle and having a hole therethrough to pass the string means.

4. A twirling toy as in claim 3 in which said vehicle bearing is a separate member, and means carried by at least one of the parts including the vehicle and the vehicle hearing to secure the latter to the vehicle.

5. A twirling toy as in claim 3 in which said vehicle bearing is an extension integral with the vehicle and bent on a bending axis to extend the vehicle bearing at right angles to the vehicle.

6. A twirling toy as in claim in which said extension is long and bent on a first bending axis to extend approxi mately at right angles to the vehicle, and the end of the extension being bent on a second bending axis parallel to and spaced from the first bending axis to bring the end of the extension adjacent to the vehicle, the end of the extension being secured to the vehicle.

7. A twirling toy as in claim 2 in which the vehicle bearing includes an extension carried by the vehicle bent on a bending axis to extend substantially at right angles to the vehicle on one side thereof and an ear cut from the vehicle below the bending axis and bent with the extension at right angles to the vehicle into the same plane as the extension on the other side of the vehicle, and the extension having an aperture to pass the string means.

8. A twirling toy as in claim 7 in which the aperture in the extension is a hole and a slit extending from the hole and ending at a point spaced from the bending axis and receiving the string means to brace the vehicle bearing in bent position.

9. A twirling toy comprising a unitary vehicle having a substantial surface, at least one vehicle bearing carried by the vehicle with an axis, means for attaching string means to the vehicle, the vehicle having a size and weight such that it can be twirled on a string, a portion of the vehicle extending forwardly of the string attaching means when twirled, means carried by the forwardly extending portion of the vehicle for carrying a weight located a substantial distance from the string attaching means, a propeller having a central hole providing a propeller bearing, means secured to the vehicle and then passing through the vehicle bearing and next passing through the propeller bearing to provide an axle upon which the propeller turns and including a twirling string providing the sole twirling means, and a weight carried by the weight supporting means, the weight being of such magnitude and so located as to displace the center of gravity of the vehicle forwardly of the point of attachment of the twirling means, the weight also being of such magnitude as to give driving power to the propeller.

10. A twirling toy as in claim 9 in which the axle means includes a rigid axle and the twirling string is attached to the rigid axle.

11. A twirling toy comprising a unitary vehicle having a substantial surface and a direction of flight when twirled, the vehicle having a size and weight such that it can be twirled on a string, at least one vehicle bearing carried by the vehicle with an axis, means for attaching string means to the vehicle, a portion of the vehicle extending forwardly of the string attaching means when twirled, means carried by the forwardly extending portion of the vehicle for carrying a weight located a substantial distance from the string attaching means, the weight carrying means being so located and of such size that it will receive a weight of such magnitude as to displace the center of gravity of the vehicle forwardly of the location of the means for attaching the string means and provide a drive weight, a single propeller having a central hole providing a propeller bearing and having blades, means having one end secured to the vehicle and then passing through the vehicle bearing and next passing through the propeller bearing to provide an axle upon which the propeller turns and including solely a string providing a twirling means, and the blades of the propeller defining a plane generally, the propeller being carried by the vehicle when stationary with the plane of the propeller blades parallel with the direction of flight and directed at an angle into the wind stream by the weight when the toy is twirled.

12. A twirling toy comprising a unitary vehicle having a substantial surface and a direction of flight when twirled, the vehicle having a size and weight such that it can be twirled on a string, a single vehicle bearing carried by the vehicle with an axis, means for attaching string means to the vehicle, a portion of the vehicle extending forwardly of the attaching means when twirled, means carried by the forwardly extending portion of the vehicle for carrying a weight located a substantial distance from the string attaching means, the weight carrying means being so located and of such size that it will receive a weight of such magnitude as to displace the center of gravity of the vehicle forwardly of the attaching means and provide a drive weight, a single propeller having a central .hole providing a propeller bearing and having blades, a string having one end secured to the vehicle by the attaching means and then passing through the single vehicle bearing and next passing through the propeller bearing to provide a string axle upon which the propeller turns and including solely a twirling string, the blades of the propeller defining a plane generally, the propeller being carried by the vehicle when stationary with the plane of the propeller blades substantially parallel with the direction of flight and directed at an angle into the wind stream by the weight when the toy is twirled.

13. A twirling toy comprising a unitary vehicle having a substantial surface, at least one vehicle bearing carried by the vehicle with an axis, means for attaching string means to the vehicle, the vehicle having a size and weight such that it can be twirled on a string, a portion of the vehicle extending forwardly of the attaching means when twirled, means carried by the forwardly extending portion of the vehicle for carrying a weight located a substantial distance from the attaching means, a propeller having a central hole providing a propeller bearing, string means having one end secured to the vehicle by the attaching means and then passing through a vehicle bearing and next passing through the propeller bearing to provide an axle upon which the propeller turns and including solely a twirling string, the string means being a single long string serving also as the axle for the propeller which axle is kept taut by twirling of the toy, a weight carried by the weight supporting means, and the weight being of such magnitude and so located as to displace the center of gravity of the vehicle forwardly of the attaching means for the string means, and the weight also being of such magnitude as to give driving power to the propeller.

14. A twirling toy comprising a unitary vehicle having a substantial surface, the vehicle having an elongated opening therethrough with long sides, a vehicle bearing secured to each long side of the opening extending at right angles to the vehicle and each having an axis, means for attaching string means to the vehicle, the vehicle having a size and Weight such that it can be twirled on a string, a portion of the vehicle extending forwardly of the attaching means when twirled, means carried by the forwardly extending portion of the vehicle for carrying a weight located a substantial distance from the attaching means, a propeller having a central hole providing a propeller bearing and having a blade, the elongated opening being longer than the blade and receiving the propeller between the vehicle bearings, string means having one end secured to the vehicle by the attaching means and then passing through one vehicle bearing and next passing through the propeller bearing to provide a string means axle upon which the propeller turns, and then through the other vehicle bearing, the string means including solely a twirling string, a weight carried by the weight supporting means, the weight being of such magnitude and so located as to displace the center of gravity of the vehicle forwardly of the attaching means, and the weight also being of such magnitude as to give driving power to the propeller.

15. A twirling toy as in claim 14 in which the string means and twirling string is one string, the vehicle having a hole adjacent to the edge of the vehicle, and a hole in the vehicle in axial alignment with the propeller through which holes the string passes.

16. A twirling toy as in claim 14 in which the string means and the twirling string is a single string.

17. A twirling toy comprising a unitary vehicle having a substantial surface, the vehicle having an opening therein with two spaced projections directed towards each other and forming vehicle bearings having an axis, each projection having a hole therein, means for attaching string means to the vehicle, the vehicle having a size and weight such that it can be twirled on a string, a portion of the vehicle extending forwardly of the attaching means when twirled, means carried by the forwardly extending portion of the vehicle for carrying a weight located a substantial distance from the attaching means, a propeller having a central hole providing a propeller bearing, string means having one end secured to the vehicle by the attaching means and then passing through the hole at one vehicle bearing and next passing through the propeller bearing to provide a string means axle upon which the propeller turns, and then through the hole at the other vehicle bearing, and including solely a twirling string, a weight carried by the weight carrying means, the weight being of such magnitude and so located as to displace the center of gravity of the vehicle forwardly of the attaching means for the string means, and the weight also being of such magnitude as to give driving power to the propeller.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 683,665 Rogers Oct. 1, 1901 1,580,833 Lipari Apr. 13, 1926 1,712,074 Fridolph May 7, 1929 1,762,051 Cooney June 3, 1930 1,793,831 Worden Feb. 24, 1931 1,918,747 Harnrnarstrom July 18, 1933 2,282,076 Moddes et a1. May 5, 1942 2,358,379 Butcher Sept. 19, 1944 2,614,843 Quan Wee Oct. 21, 1952 2,781,989 Hagood et al. Feb. 19, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 20,426 Great Britain Sept. 2, 1899 535,169 France Jan. 20, 1922 485,421 Germany Oct. 31, 1929 

1. A TWIRLING TOY COMPRISING A UNITARY VEHICLE HAVING A SUBSTANTIAL SURFACE, AT LEAST ONE VEHICLE BEARING CARRIED BY THE VEHICLE WITH AN AXIS, MEANS FOR ATTACHING STRING MEANS TO THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE HAVING A SIZE AND WEIGHT SUCH THAT IT CAN BE TWIRLED ON A STRING, A PORTION OF THE VEHICLE EXTENDING FORWARDLY OF THE STRING ATTACHING MEANS WHEN TWIRLED, MEANS FOR CARRYING A WEIGHT CARRIED BY THE FORWARDLY EXTENDING PORTION OF THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE FROM THE STRING ATTACHING MEANS, THE WEIGHT CARRYING MEANS BEING OF SUCH SIZE THAT IT WILL RECEIVE A WEIGHT OF SUCH MAGNITUDE AS TO DISPLACE THE CENTER OF GRAVITY OF THE VEHICLE FORWARDLY OF THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT OF THE TWIRLING MEANS, A PROPELLER HAVING A CENTRAL HOLE PROVIDING A PROPELLER BEARING, AND STRING MEANS HAVING ONE END SECURED TO THE VEHICLE AND THEN PASSING THROUGH THE VEHICLE BEARING AND NEXT PASSING THROUGH THE PROPELLER BEARING TO PROVIDE A STRING MEANS AXLE UPON WHICH THE PROPELLER TURNS AND THE STRING MEANS INCLUDING SOLELY A TWIRLING STRING. 